KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - After removal from the Boeing Delta II rocket, the second stage is lowered to the ground. It will be stored temporarily until the inter-stage adapter on the rocket can be replaced. Removal of the second stage will allow workers to then remove the rocket’s inter-stage adapter, which was found to be faulty during a review of launch vehicle hardware. It will be replaced and the second stage re-installed within a few days. Launch of Deep Impact is now scheduled no earlier than Jan. 12.